The Hall of Fame will be called a joke because the greatest hitter and pitcher of our generation didn't come close to being elected. The 569 voters will be ripped for not being able to get on the same page. And cries for change in the voting procedure will be loud and long.

To which I say: Relax. This has happened before, seven other times, in fact, most recently in 1996. Let's wait until next year before even considering a change.

• Roger Clemens and Barry Bonds have a long, long road to Cooperstown. I figured they would come close to receiving 50 percent of the vote, which, based on past results, would have almost guaranteed election at some point. Every player who has received 50 percent of the votes in one year eventually has been voted in. But after Clemens came in at 37.6 percent and Bonds at 36.2 percent, their future chances are anything but certain.

• With one more year on the ballot, Jack Morris will put that "50 percent rule" to perhaps its greatest test. His support barely budged as he came in at 67.7 percent, just 1 percent better than a year ago. With a number of worthy candidates debuting on the ballot in 2014, Morris will be hard-pressed to jump to the 75 percent needed for election.

• But if the "50 percent rule" holds, four other players on the ballot also can feel good about their prospects of eventually being elected. Craig Biggio, Jeff Bagwell, Tim Raines and Mike Piazza all came in with at least 52.2 percent, with Biggio topping all vote-getters at 68.2 percent.

• If the outlook for Clemens and Bonds looks lousy, at least they have a chance. Sammy Sosa, one of eight players to hit 600 homers, pretty much can kiss his chances goodbye after receiving only 12.5 percent of the vote. Mark McGwire debuted with more support, at 23.5 percent. McGwire’s backing has dwindled for three consecutive years, though, as he finished at 16.9 percent this time.

• Dale Murphy's chances rest with the veterans committee after he finished with 18.6 percent in his 15th and final year on the ballot. Murphy, however, should be somewhat pleased that his family's heartfelt campaign on his behalf did some good. He enjoyed the biggest bump on the ballot after finishing at 14.5 percent a year ago.

• It appears Rafael Palmeiro will become the first player to collect 3,000 hits and hit 500 homers to be left out. After his votes fell to 8.8 percent from 12.6 percent, he will be fortunate to receive the 5 percent he needs in 2014 to remain on the ballot.

While the steroids factor undoubtedly contributed largely to this year's shutout, next year should be different. The 2014 ballot will include three bona fide, have-to-be first-ballot inductees in Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine and Frank Thomas.

Biggio should get in next year, too, as a number of voters likely who didn’t consider him a first-ballot Hall of Famer will give him and his 3,060 hits their due. Morris could sneak in and even Bagwell (59.6 percent) could make the jump. That makes six deserving players.

If somehow there is another shutout, then the Hall has a problem. Then the writers will deserve to be criticized. Then — and only then — the cries for change should be addressed.